Penn State LB Tony Rojas on Watch List for Major 2026 Award

Penn State linebacker Tony Rojas has been a staple of the Nittany Lions' defense for the last three seasons in Happy Valley. 

2026 will be his fourth year in the program, and while he is one of the most veteran guys on the roster, his career has been marred by injury. 2024 was actually his best season in college when he finished with 58 total tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks on the year. He also added three interceptions to his name that year.

Last year, in 2025, was just as the entire season was, a large disappointment for Rojas. He only played in four games last season and registered just 25 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks on the year. 

Rojas suffered a season-ending torn ACL last year, and it cost him nearly the entire season.

Now, as he is set to return to the field and the Nittany Lions are set to get back to their normal selves, they are going to need a big year out of Rojas.

Heading into the year, Rojas received a major honor. He was named to the watch list for the 2026 Lott IMPACT Award.

This award is handed out to the best defensive player in the nation who also lives by the ideals that Ronnie Lott did. "IMPACT" is an acronym that stands for those mentioned characteristics: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity.

Last season, the award was won by Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. 

This award has been given out for 22 years now, and throughout its history, Penn State has not been a familiar face. Rojas could join just two players who represented Penn State who were either a finalist or won the award.

In 2006, linebacker Paul Posluszny was a finalist for the award, which was won that year by Dante Hughes from Cal. Then, in 2015, defensive end Carl Nassib won the award, and he is the only Nittany Lion to have won the award in its history.

Rojas has the opportunity to join either Nassib or Posluszny as a winner or a finalist this year. To do that, he will need to have a monster season, especially coming after his ACL injury last year.

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